Anaheim marks end of Ramadan with Eid Festival

Rana Hamdan, 36, of South Gate plants a kiss on her son, Ahmad Hussein, 1, during the Eid Festival on Saturday afternoon in Anaheim. The festival marks the end of Ramadan, which is the month of holy fasting in Islam.MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – Muslims from across Southern California converged here over the weekend to celebrate the city's first Eid Festival, marking the end of the monthlong fasting period of Ramadan.

Camel shows, Islamic bands, comedians, traditional modest clothing, carnival rides and a wide selection of food from across the Middle East were highlights of the free event Saturday and Sunday along the Center Street Promenade downtown.

“Eid is as important to the Muslim community as Christmas is for Christians,” said real estate agent Bill Dalati, who is credited as the festival's founder.

The event featured a booth that was aimed at educating Muslims and those who do not practice Islam about the meaning and relevance of Ramadan and Eid.

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset as a way to give thanks and enhance their relationship with God during Ramadan, which spanned July 8 to Aug. 7 this year. The period ends with Eid al-Fitr, also known as the breaking of the Islamic religious fast, marked with large feasts as a way of showing gratitude to God.

“When people want to eat Middle Eastern food, they come to Anaheim because the city has a very large population of Muslims and Arabs,” said Dina Abdo, executive director of the Eid Festival.

“This festival brings everyone together because not all Muslims are Arab, and not all Arabs are Muslim,” Abdo said. “It's a celebration of our differences and our similarities.”

Rana Hamdan, 36, of South Gate plants a kiss on her son, Ahmad Hussein, 1, during the Eid Festival on Saturday afternoon in Anaheim. The festival marks the end of Ramadan, which is the month of holy fasting in Islam. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Samah Alramadi, 36, of La Habra, Muna Ahmad, 52, of Asuza, Jasmyn Ahmad, 7, of Glendora, Reem Asad, 11, of La Habra, and Amira Ahmad, 6, of Glendora toss pingpong balls in an attempt to win a goldfish. They were at the Eid Festival in downtown Anaheim. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Festival-goers Sana Amini, 17, and Sahar Azizi, 18, both of Murrieta, browse a display of colorful shoes and bangles at the Eid Festival on Saturday afternoon. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Naila Rizvi, 39, of Los Angeles and Ariba Ali, 18, also of Los Angeles display silver- and gold-plated jewelry at the Ayesha Boutique stand at the annual Eid Festival in downtown Anaheim. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Traditional Pakistani bracelets with bright jewels and a gold finish are displayed at the Ayesha Boutique booth during the Eid-al-Fitr celebration in downtown Anaheim. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Danielle Aslam, 32, Mamoun Aslam, 2, and Rehan Aslam, 35, all of Tustin walk past the food vendors at the Eid-al-Fitr festival in downtown Anaheim. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brandon Liu, 3, of Pomona enjoys his turn on a spinning turtle ride at the Eid Festival, which also offered a Ferris wheel, a jumbo slide and other carnival rides for children. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Shop owner Naila Aqil, 48, of Orange organizes her stock of traditional Indian and Pakistani dresses, known as "shalwar kameez," at the Eid Festival in downtown Anaheim. MACKENZIE REISS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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